Today in history: Paul Kruger is born

Paul Kruger (Stephanus Johannes Paulus Kruger) the son of Casper Kruger, was born on 10 October 1825 at Whittlesea, in the Eastern Cape, on his grandfather’s farm.

In 1842 he married Maria du Plessis with whom he had one son, and thereafter he married Gezina du Plessis, who bore him seven daughters and nine sons.

As a political figure Paul Kruger was elected as the State President of the South African Republic (Transvaal) at the age of 57 years.

Thereafter he became known as the face of the Boer resistance against the British during the second South African Boer War (1899–1902).

The Kruger National Park, as well as the Krugerrand coin, were named after him after his death in 1904.

Information sourced from: South African History Online.